The ladder on the Lunar Module (LM) that astronauts used to descend to the surface of the Moon was intentionally designed to be relatively short. There were a few reasons for this design choice:
Weight and Space Constraints: The Lunar Module was a spacecraft that needed to be launched from Earth and landed on the Moon. Weight and space were critical considerations due to the limitations of the Apollo missions. Keeping the ladder short helped reduce the overall weight of the Lunar Module and made it more compact for transportation.
Easy Egress: The primary purpose of the ladder was to provide a means for astronauts to safely exit the Lunar Module and reach the lunar surface. The short length of the ladder made it easier for astronauts to climb down and up without requiring excessive effort or posing unnecessary risks. Additionally, the low lunar gravity (about one-sixth of Earth's gravity) made it relatively easy for astronauts to manage the small jump to and from the ladder.
Descent Stage Height: The Lunar Module consisted of two main parts—the Descent Stage and the Ascent Stage. The Descent Stage housed the ladder and remained on the Moon's surface while the Ascent Stage was used for the return journey to lunar orbit. The height of the Descent Stage was determined by various factors, including engine placement, stability, and other engineering considerations. The ladder was designed to accommodate the height of the Descent Stage.
While the ladder may appear short in photographs or videos, it served its purpose effectively in enabling astronauts to safely transition between the Lunar Module and the lunar surface during the Apollo missions.